Reimagining Chinese opera for today’s age and audiences

It is my pleasure to join you today for the launch of Tok Tok Chiang Opera’s “From Heritage to Innovation”. This occasion is especially significant, as it falls in the same year as the 160^th anniversary of Singapore’s oldest Teochew opera troupe, Lao Sai Tao Yuan.

Keeping an opera troupe thriving for 160 years is really a remarkable feat. We want to thank the members of Lao Sai Tao Yuan for their unwavering dedication to preserving this traditional art form. On behalf of the Singapore government, on behalf of Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, as well as the National Arts Council (NAC), we want to commend Tok Tok Chiang for their vital work in showcasing the rich history and heritage of Singapore’s Chinese street opera.

Now, all the troupe members – some Chinese, Malay, and Indian – are important custodians of our living heritage. It is really through their passion and commitment that we all today can continue to enjoy this precious art form, rich in tradition and storytelling.

Today, we are here to celebrate the culmination of one year of hard work, an ambitious and innovative initiative that seamlessly blends tradition with technology. I am very honoured to join you all to officially launch Tok Tok Chiang Opera’s “From Heritage to Innovation”, which to me is a very forward-thinking project, that is supported by NAC’s Sector Transformation Fund.

“From Heritage to Innovation” takes on the challenge of reimagining Chinese opera for today’s digital age and audiences. Following extensive market research and regular and close stakeholder engagements, Nick and his team at Tok Tok Chiang Opera have developed an online mobile game as well as a comic book. I think that is really one way to bring Chinese opera to younger audiences. Everyone has a mobile phone – Chinese opera can come alive to them anytime and anywhere at the press of a button. These formats resonate with the younger audience and younger generations, and offer very meaningful ways to engage with the rich tapestry of Chinese and Teochew opera. This marks a big step in connecting youth with traditional Chinese opera. I am confident it will ignite their curiosity as well as interest in exploring this art form.

Nick has inspired many people, including one young girl I saw perform at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre a few months ago. Now, she has been awarded the NAC scholarship to pursue Chinese opera in Shanghai. There is a real chance to ignite passion.

This initiative shows how the fusion of tradition with innovation can be a powerful force, not only for preserving culture, but also for shaping our cultural heritage. Through efforts like these, our traditional art forms will continue to thrive in the hearts and the minds of current and future generations of Singaporeans, here, as well as overseas.

Now, allow me to say a few words in Mandarin.

大家对炜竣，相信不会陌生，炜竣从1999年的《才华横溢出新秀》出道至今，参加了40多部影视作品的演出，大家对荧幕上的他，应该相当熟悉。炜竣除了是影视演员，他从小就对戏曲，特别是潮州戏，情有独钟。

2017年，当他知道1864年成立的“老赛桃源”潮剧团即将解散的时候，就决定接手戏班，带领戏班转型，延续传承文化的使命。可以说，如果不是当年炜竣挺身而出，接手戏班，我们今天也许就不会在这里庆祝“老赛桃源”成立160周年！

“老赛桃源”在过去超过一个半世纪以来，一直秉持着文化传承的理念，守护潮州戏曲传统，在新加坡华族文化舞台上有一个重要的角色。炜竣以他对潮州戏曲的热忱，则是将新加坡独特的多元文化特色，融入到戏曲的表演当中，例如他曾经邀请马来和印度族同胞，一起呈献华族传统戏曲，带来跨种族，跨文化的演出。

今年，他和咚咚呛团队更采纳科技，推出了属于“老赛桃源”潮剧团的手机游戏，把具有本地华族特色的街戏文化，打造成为科技产品，吸引年轻人接触和了解传统戏曲，以及本地街戏的历史事迹。团队也推出了微型“街戏戏台”模型，制作十分精细，栩栩如生，非常可爱，重现了本地古早的街戏表演情景，勾起我们满满的回忆。

相信大家和我一样，都很高兴看到“老赛桃源”潮剧团和咚咚呛戏曲的年轻人，为保留和传承传统戏曲所付出的创意和努力。也希望未来还会有更多的年轻人，带着对文化传承的诚意和创意，让更多人能够接触和体验新加坡独特的华族文化。

最后，再次恭贺“老赛桃源”潮剧团和咚咚呛戏曲团队，希望大家继续再接再厉，坚守文化传承的道路、一起开辟精彩创新的未来。谢谢大家！